10 Steps to Grow Your Customer Base

Attracting new customers to your business and retaining them in the long term doesn’t require a mystical formula known only to marketing gurus. A combination of time-tested online and offline tactics executed according to a strategic plan is all you need to grow your client base.

1- Online Marketing Strategies 

The question of how to attract customers online has become more complicated in light of changing algorithms affecting what potential customers see, but you can increase visibility by diversifying your channels:

1. Website 

This online storefront for your business should be easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and regularly updated with fresh content. If you accept orders online, do everything you can to simplify the shopping experience. Make sure your contact information is displayed on every page so that it’s easy for customers to get in touch. 

1. SEO 

Optimize your website for search by using relevant keywords in your content, streamlining the user experience, and building a network of high-authority backlinks. Include location-specific keywords to attract more local and mobile customers to your brick-and-mortar store.

Audit your SEO strategy regularly, and update as needed to stay ahead of competitors. Let National handle the behind-the-scenes work to boost your site’s search rankings.

• Web Advertising 

Allocate some of your marketing budget to digital advertising strategies, such as PPC campaigns, retargeting, remarketing and email. Perform detailed keyword research and analyze customers’ purchasing habits to target your ideal audience. Start boosting your ROI now with National’s digital advertising services.

2- Utilize Social Media

These days, social media is not just used to speak and share with friends and acquaintances. Potential customers are using social media to also connect with businesses and find products.

Social media also allows businesses to create ads. An ad on social media will target potential customers with ease by identifying within the ad your target customer preferences.

3- Focus on Customer Service

Train your employees to be excellent in customer service. In fact, hiring the right people in the first place can be a great way to bring in potential customers, too.

Put the customer’s needs first. If your customer needs more information before purchasing your product, then take the time to walk them through the process. If an issue occurs, resolve it quickly with an attitude of keeping the customer happy in mind.

Bad reviews and negative customer service experiences are easily shared on social media and by word of mouth. These negative experiences could not only cost you loyal customers but potential customers as well.

4- Listening to existing users and customers

There’s a saying: Build on what you already have. Talk to the people who use your product and ask them what they like, what they don’t like and what could be better. Take user feedback seriously and incorporate it into our product roadmap planning. Outside your staff, your long-term users and customers are experts on your product experience.

5- Empowering our users 

If someone is excited by a product, they share it. Referral bonuses work. Consider offering a referral program or incentive to have your existing users spread the news of your product to their network. While offering incentives, you can kill two birds with one stone: You’re keeping your existing user base happy and inviting an entirely new set of users to the community. 

6- Keep excellent customer support 

A customer who contacts customer support about their first order is just as important as a customer who contacts customer service about their tenth order. Treat each customer with respect and take appropriate action.

A happy customer is likely to tell at least three friends about a positive experience and great customer service leads to increased sales. Best of all, you can keep track of previous customer communication through tools such as CRM software.

7- Informal conversations

Encourage a relationship with customers by offering them products, knowledge, and discounts with no strings attached. Provide them with free content, coupons, and product samples. Have an organic conversation with potential customers without the goal of selling them anything.

8- Keep your website content fresh

Fresh and informative content is one of the main elements that pull in new visitors and potential customers. Keep your content fresh by publishing a blog that reports the latest business news, key-takeaways from whitepapers and hot topics within your industry. Fresh content will also help your website be found in search engines.

9- Keep Networking

If you’re finding that you’re unable to grow your business from the clients you have, it’s time to start networking. While it can be hard to put yourself out there, networking will help you build a strong circle of contacts that you can rely on for work and referrals. Start by asking your existing clients for recommendations.

10- Increase your customer base by asking for opinions

Before a web visitor leaves your website, request that they complete a short survey related to your business. People are happy to express themselves and often enjoy telling you about their online and offline experiences.